Horse-boot.



R. H. SMITH. HORSE BOOT. APPLICATION FILED APB.29-, 1909.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

jizaerziarr M zirzmdes:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD E. SMITH, OF HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

HORSE-BOOT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, RICHARD H. SMITH, of Hamilton, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Horse-Boots, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of horse-boots which comprise a piece of heavy leather which is especially adapted to be strapped about the fore-leg of the horse between the fetlock and the knee, so as to protect the leg of the animal from injury, as, in polo playing, from being struck by the mallets of the riders. These prior devices have usually been provided with a series of straps and buckles arranged at intervals throughout the length of the boot, to hold the same securely in position and prevent the ends of the boot from bulging out so as to interfere with the movement of the legs of the horse. I have found that devices of this character frequently cause injury to the leg, as it is necessary to bind them so tightly about the leg that the free play of the muscles is prevented, impeding the movements of the horse and frequently causing swelling and other injuries. A further disadvantage of said prior devices is that considerable time is required to secure them in place.

The object of my invention is to provide a horse boot of the above described character which is adapted to be held closely in place about the leg, and yet is adapted to yield to a sufiicient extent to permit free play of the muscles of the leg, so that freedom of action will not be interfered with, or injury to the legs be caused, and which may be quickly applied and removed. I accomplish these objects by the means shown in the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the horse boot made according to my invention. Figs. 2 and 8 are side elevations, showing opposite sides thereof, as the device appears when in position on the leg.

According to my invention I provide a boot a, which preferably consists of a rectangular shaped piece of heavy leather of suiiicient length to extend entirely about the leg of the animal to which it is to be applied, and to overlap for a short distance at its ends. A strap Z) is firmly secured to one end of the boot by stitches, or other suitable means, the portion 6 of said strap,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 29, 1909.

Patented Nov. 30, 19%).

Serial No. 493,016.

adjacent the boot, extending transversely from a point a short distance above the lower end of the boot to within a short distance of the upper end thereof, so that it is of somewhat less width than the boot, and the upper et ge of said portion being approximately parallel to the lower edge thereof. The upper edge of the middle portion 6 of the strap is tapered toward the lower edge to a point at a distance therefrom approximately equal to the width of an ordinary strap, said upper edge extending parallel to the lower edge from this point to the end forming a buckle-engaging portion Z)".

A loop 0 is secured to the outer side of boot a adjacent the opposite end thereof from the strap 7), said loop extending approximately the width of the boot and the wider portion 7) of the strap being adapted to fit closely therein. A loop (Z is also socured to the boot at a short distance from the opposite end thereof from loop 0, and extends from the lower edge of the boot for approximately one-half the width thereof. A buckle c is secured by a strap, or other suitable means, to the boot adjacent its lower edge and adjacent the loop 0, said buckle being adapted to receive the buckle portion 6 of the strap, the upper edge of the bucklesecuring means being held at approximately the same level as the lower edge of the portion Z) of the strap.

In applying the boot to the leg of the animal, the boot is first wrapped about the leg between the fetlock and the knee, with the lower end, which bears the buckle, resting against the fetlock joint, the strap 7) being inserted in the loop 0 and drawn therethrough, so that the opposite end of the boot from the loop overlaps the adjacent end and is held against or close to the side of the loop 0. The strap is then wound about the boot and passed through the loop d and drawn therethrough and then inserted in the buckle e and drawn tight and fastened, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 2 showing the outer side of the boot when in position, and Fig. 3 the inner side. The strap 1) is attached at a slight angle to the end of the boot, so that it is wound spirally downward about the same, thereby causing the buckle portion 6 to lie between the lower edge of the wide portion Z) and the lower edge of the boot, in which'position the buckle e is located, as shown in Fig. 2. It will also be noted that, when the parts are adjusted in position, the lower edge of the strap portion 6 will be held in close proximity to the upper edge of the buckle-attaching means, so that the latter is thereby enabled to act as a support for the strap and materially aid in holding the boot in position, I having ascertained that, in practice, the buckle-securing means performs practically all of the essential functions of the loop 0, so that the latter is not essential in many instances.

The loops 0 and (Z are each of a width corresponding to the width of the portions of the strap which are located therein, so that they act to hold the strap securely in position on the boot and the latter in position on the leg of the horse and as tightly about the leg as is necessary. At the same time the boot is permitted to yield throughout its length to an extent suflicient to allow the necessary play of the muscles of the leg, the only point at which the boot is tightly bound about the leg being at the lower end close to the joint, thereby preventing the boot from slipping down. While the boot might be used in the inverted position, it is much preferable to use the same in the position shown. The wider portion of the strap also provides an extra thickness of leather at the inner side of the boot, where it is most needed, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. A horseboot having a buckle and means for securing the same to the boot at one side edge portion and adjacent the lower end thereof, and a strap extending from the opposite edge portion of the boot with its lower edge adjacent the level of the upper edge of the buckle-securing means, so that, when the boot is in position, the lower edge of the strap, as it extends from the boot, will be supported by the buckle-securing means,

said strap having a buckle-engaging end portion, at its lower edge, adapted to be connected to the buckle, scribed.

2. A horse-boot having a buckle and means for securing the same to the boot at one side edge portion and adjacent the lower end thereof, and a strap extending from the opposite edge portion of the boot with its lower edge adjacent the level of the upper edge of the buckle-securing means, so that, when the boot is in position, the lower edge of the strap. as it extends from the boot, will be supported by the buckle-securing means, said strap having a buckle-engaging end portion, at its lower edge extending obliquely downward to enter and be connected to the buckle, substantially as described.

8. A horse boot having a strap connected to one side edge portion thereof, said strap, at its connected end, being of a width less than that of the boot and tapering at its upper edge toward its lower edge and extending approximately parallel to said edge to provide a relatively narrow buckle-engaging portion, a loop on the boot adapted to receive the strap to hold the same in position adjacent its connected ends, and a buckle mounted on the lower end of the boot adjacent and below the point at which the lower edge of the strap is held when in said loop, said strap being connected to the boot at a slightly oblique angle to cause the same to wind spirally about the boot, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD H. SMITH.

substantially as deiVitnesses L. H. HARRIMAN, GEORGE H. V. I-IAYns. 

